It is still early in the season for deeper analysis, but there are already some teams you should look after in the MLS. Eight games are scheduled for this weekend, so take a closer look at the most intriguing matchups, including a derby clash between Los Angeles Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City, set for Sunday, April 8th, 2018, at StubHub Center in Carson, California. After that tremendous debut by Zlatan Ibrahimovic on last weekend, you certainly don’t want to miss this one.
MLS HOT STREAKS
- Atlanta United won three games in a row
- Chicago Fire is without a win in their first three games
- Portland Timbers are winless after first four rounds
- Sporting Kansas City is unbeaten in four straight games, facing LA Galaxy on Sunday, April 8th, 2018
ATLANTA UNITED vs. LOS ANGELES FC
3-Way: 1: Atlanta United -170; X: +355 Draw; 2: Los Angeles FC +390 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1: Atlanta United -100; Los Angeles FC -115
Total +3.5: Over -105; Under -115
Atlanta United is on a three-game winning run after beating DC United (3-1) and Vancouver Whitecaps (4-1) at home, and Minnesota (1-0) on the road on last weekend, so the bookmakers favor them at -170 to grab another victory against Los Angeles FC this Saturday, April 7th, 2018, in front of the home fans.
On the other side, the newcomers Los Angeles FC was beaten by LA Galaxy 4-3 on last weekend after two wins at the start of the season, despite a 3-0 lead. At least, they’ve proved they can score some goals in the MLS, while the bookies expect to see both sides scoring in this game, as the market is set at -225.
MY PICK: Los Angeles FC AH +1 (-115)
CHICAGO FIRE vs. COLUMBUS CREW
3-Way: 1: Chicago Fire +135; X: +250 Draw; 2: Columbus Crew +190 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Chicago Fire -135; Columbus Crew +110
Total +3: Over +100; Under -120
After finishing in the third spot of the Eastern Conference last season, the Chicago Fire’s fans expect a lot from their beloved club in this campaign, but the Man in Red started the season with one draw and two losses out of the first three games.
Their next rival Columbus Crew has a 3-1-1 record at the start of the new season, and they are looking like a tough team, so Chicago will have a difficult task this Saturday. The market on both teams to score here is at -200, so the bookies are pretty sure we’ll see an open-flow game, while you can also try with an Asian handicap on the hosts.
MY PICK: Chicago Fire AH 0 (-135)
ORLANDO CITY vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS
3-Way: 1: Orlando City +115; X: +255 Draw; 2: Portland Timbers +220 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Orlando City +115; Portland Timbers -130
Total +3: Over +100; Under -120
Portland Timbers are still winless after the first four games of the new season, recording two losses against Los Angeles Galaxy (2-1) and New York Red Bulls (4-0), and two stalemates with FC Dallas (1-1) and Chicago Fire (2-2), all these four on the road.
They continue a trip visiting Orlando City this Sunday, April 8th, 2018, while the hosts have a 1-1-2 record after their first four matches in 2018. Both teams are struggling defensively, so we should see an entertaining clash with some goals on both sides of the pitch, while Portland Timbers won the last season’s head-to-head duel, 3-0 at home.
MY PICK: Over 3 Goals
ADDITIONAL PICK: Portland AH +0.5 (-130)
LOS ANGELES GALAXY vs. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
3-Way: 1: Los Angeles Galaxy +120; X: +245 Draw; 2: Sporting Kansas City +225 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Los Angeles Galaxy +115; Sporting Kansas City -140
Total +2.5: Over -125; Under +105
It was a special game on last Saturday when LA Galaxy defeated Los Angeles FC 4-3 after a three-goal deficit, and the soccer fans in the USA could see a true star in the action, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic is surely one of the most exciting players in the history of this game.
Zlatan’s first goal was a pure magic, and now the goalkeepers in the MLS will have to be well aware of his skills, while the next clash against Sporting Kansas City should be a proper test for Ibrahimovic and his teammates.
On the other side, the Wizards had a strong start of 2018, recording three wins, one draw, and one defeat with a 10:9 goal difference, keeping the clean sheet only against DC United in a 1-0 victory in the previous round.
Last year, the Wizards won both head-to-head meetings with Galaxy, each with an identical 2-1 result, so the bookmakers set the market on both teams to score in this one at -155.
The hosts are set as +120 favorites to win the clash, and it is a nice price considering the visitors’ strength. However, everyone’s waiting for more Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s magic, as his bag is full of tricks, so I’m backing the end of the Wizards’ streak.
MY PICK: Los Angeles Galaxy to Win (+120)
